Former Wildcat Standout Died Recently
Apr 18, 2002 | Football
April 18, 2002
Manhattan, Kan. - Ron Nery, an all-conference lineman at Kansas State who later played for the San Diego Chargers, died recently in Topeka, Kan. He was 67.
Nery, a native of New Kensington, Pa., played for the Kansas State football team from 1952 until 1955.
During his time at K-State, Nery also earned second team All-Big Seven in 1955 and honorable mention All-America and All-Mid-Western honors in 1954 and 1955.
Nery started his freshman year for the Wildcats at end, but in 1953 was moved to tackle for the remainder of his time at K-State. Nery played in the 1957 College All-Star Game.
In 1960, he went on to become one of the original members of the Los Angeles Chargers at defensive right end. He moved with the team to San Diego in 1961 and was a member of San Diego's vaunted "Fearsome Foursome" during his years there. The other members of the foursome were Earl Faison, Ernie Ladd and Richard Smith Hudson.
The Chargers advanced to the title game of the American Football League in both of their first two seasons and Nery started in both title games. In 1963, he was traded to the Denver Broncos and finished the season with the Houston Oilers. He played 50 games in his AFL career.
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